Man sentenced to 30 years in stabbings that killed woman

MAYS LANDING, N.J. (AP) — A New Jersey man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison in a double stabbing that left his ex-girlfriend dead and a Pennsylvania man critically injured.

The Press of Atlantic City reports that 53-year-old Jose Lopez was sentenced Thursday in the death of 54-year-old Bessy Blanco, who was found stabbed to death in February 2017 in her Atlantic City home. Lopez was also sentenced to a concurrent 20-year term in the stabbing of the man.

Lopez pleaded guilty in November to murder and attempted murder. He didn't speak at his sentencing but defense attorney Steve Scheffler said his client "certainly wants me to convey his remorse, his apologies."

Prosecutors called Lopez a jealous ex-boyfriend who had been kicked out of the home days before the stabbings.